Event industry foundation Meeting Needs has funded the development of a vocational training centre at Kisarawe orphanage in Tanzania where 50 youngsters will be trained as tailors in the first year of operation.

Meeting Needs will again partner with Champion Chanzige, a small UK charity founded by Philippa Jacobs that has long been dedicated to supporting the education and well-being of children in the Kisarawe region of Tanzania. This latest initiative at the orphanage began with the establishment of a kitchen garden, which not only contributes to the children’s nutrition but also teaches them basic agricultural skills.

At a cost of just £6,700, a dedicated sewing room with electricity and 12 sewing machines will now be installed for children to receive hands-on training in tailoring from the orphanage director, a skilled and experienced tailor.

Philippa said: “Our long-term vision is to fully transform the orphanage into a vocational training hub, empowering children with practical skills to secure their future. Although our past efforts primarily focused on local primary schools, we recently identified a significant need at the Kisarawe orphanage, where many of the children we support live and attend school. In response, we expanded our mission to include the orphanage, completing our largest project to date—the rebuilding of the main orphanage house.”

Meeting Needs Vice Chair Lene Corgan said: “This is the kind of project we love to help – a cost-effective and sustainable initiative that will enable these youngsters to support themselves in the long term.”